Vision
The goal is to realize the potential of the blue economy in Somaliland.
Mission
The mission of the Research Center is to create an institution that leads the way in carrying out impactful research that will catalyze the full utilization of Somaliland’s marine resources.
Objectives
Carrying out impactful research that addresses fundamental challenges.
Providing evidence-based advice to policymakers.
Building the capacity of the sector by training and providing technical support.
Providing forums for open discussion and debates.
Disseminating research outcomes through different channels.
Creating a data center.
Producing publishable articles from good student thesis research work.
Partnering with both local and international institutions.
Mobilizing resources nationally and internationally to achieve the above objectives.
Program
Despite the potential of the blue economy, very little is known about the country’s marine resources, living and non-living. The center will address this knowledge gap by conducting in-depth research in the following areas.
2.1. Fisheries Science & Management
• Stock assessment: Estimating fish population sizes and health to inform sustainable harvesting limits.
• Fisheries ecology: Understanding fish behavior, reproduction, migration, and predator-prey relationships.
• Fisheries policy & governance: Studying regulatory frameworks, illegal fishing, and community-based resource management.
• Aquaculture development: Introducing fish farming and enhancing fish farming techniques for sustainability, efficiency, and disease control
2.2. Marine Biology & Ecology
• Biodiversity surveys: Documenting marine species, ecosystems, and their interactions.
• Habitat conservation: Studying coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and other critical habitats.
• Invasive species research: Investigating the effects of non-native species on native ecosystems.
• Climate change impacts: Examining how warming oceans, acidification, and sea level rise affect marine life
2.3. Marine Technology & Engineering
• Remote sensing & GIS: Using satellite data and mapping tools for marine resource monitoring.
• Fishing gear innovation: Developing eco-friendly and selective fishing equipment.
• Autonomous systems: Designing underwater drones and sensors for deep-sea exploration.
2.4. Marine Policy, Law, & Economics
• Marine spatial planning: Allocating ocean space for different uses (e.g., fishing, tourism, conservation).
• Blue economy: Assessing economic potential of sustainable ocean industries.
• Maritime law: Exploring legal frameworks for territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and marine protection.
2.5. Human Dimensions of Fisheries
• Socioeconomic studies: Understanding the livelihoods, cultural roles, and well-being of coastal communities.
• Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK): Integrating local knowledge into resource management.
2.6. Pollution & Environmental Stressors
• Microplastics and marine debris: Tracking distribution and impact on wildlife.
• Oil Spills and Chemical Pollution: Assessing Environmental Consequences and Cleanup Strategies.
2.7. Marketing and markets
• Fish markets: assessing the fish markets in the main towns
• Fish supply chain: tracking the cold chain from boat to plate
• Fish Marketing: Promotion and Media
• Fish quality: From the point of landing to the point of retail
• Fish imports: Canned, fresh, dried, countries of origin
• Fish exports: Destination countries, process
• Fish processing and canning: Capacity, challenges
Resources
The university has resources which enable the Research Center to carry out its work. These include:
– A number of expert teaching staff to lead and guide research
– Students to take on research work and produce their theses
– A fish laboratory
– Two research, training, and commercial vessels:
A boat that belongs to the university, with
– Length 20.10 m
– Breadth 5.5 m
– Depth 4.95 m
– Crew 10
– Student trainees 8
A second boat, belonging to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, with
– Length 17m
– Breadth 5m
– Depth 3m
– Crew 6 people
– Student trainees 10